SCARBOROUGH, England, February 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- CorDEX Instruments, manufacturer of explosion proof equipment, has won a national technical innovation award for a new handheld distance measuring tool that can be used safely offshore.

The LaserMETER 3000XP received the Technical Innovation of the Year prize in the annual HazardEx awards in Harrogate, Yorkshire.

The revolutionary new tool is the first measuring device to be certified for use in explosive areas, making it ideal for use offshore and in the mining and petrochemical industries.

Securing ATEX, CSA and IECEx Zone 1IIC T4 accreditation means that it complies with stringent health and safety regulations and can be used offshore without obtaining 'hot work' permits.

Marcus Halliday, General Manager at CorDEX Instruments said: "Our explosion proof measuring tool was custom designed in response to industry feedback and there is nothing like it in the market place. We are delighted that it has been recognised for its innovation and we have great confidence in the whole family of products that are being launched during 2011."

The LaserMETER 3000XP has been expertly built to last, with a rugged industrial-grade construction. Encased in tough aluminium, it can withstand harsh environments and has simple operating functions to cater for workers in hazardous locations wearing protective kit and gloves.

The IP65 design incorporates shock resistant, anti-static over mould with interchangeable battery pack and backlit LCD display. It comes packed with features such as Pythagoras, area and volume calculations and can measure distances of up to 30m with an accuracy of 3mm.

At the HazardEx exhibition, CorDEX Instruments also launched its next generation of explosion proof digital camera - the ToughPIX 2300XP series.

The camera is smaller and lighter than previous models with fully automatic strobe flash, interchangeable lenses, digital zoom and red-eye reduction. It can capture still images in extreme, low light conditions. ToughPIX 2300XP Series is ATEX and American CSA certified to take images within Zone 1 IIC T4 and Class 1 Division I B, C, D hazardous areas.

CorDEX has already established a reputation since it was launched in 2009 in the mining and chemicals sectors and is now positioning itself to become the UK premier manufacturer of handheld explosion-proof tools for the oil and gas industry. The Yorkshire headquartered company opened a base in Aberdeen in 2010 to bring its unique services to the international energy industry.

Notes to editors

The HazardEx awards took place at the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate, North Yorkshire on February 23 2011.